Hang Out With Monkeys In Roatan

Monkeys jump on your shoulders, macaws are free roaming and you even cross a swinging bridge at Gumbalimba Park in Roatan, Honduras.

During our Norwegian Cruise, we took an excursion to Gumbalimba Park that included swimming at Tabyana Beach Resort.

Pier and port area on Roatan — *Pier and port area at Coxen Hole in Roatan*

Going to Gumbalimba Park

Meet the tour leader just outside the port gates on the main road. You will walk through the port area and then look for the excursion. The tour leader will hold up a sign for your group. Next, you will be directed to a bus that leads to the park.

It is about a 20-minute drive through the hills and jungle from the Coxen Hole cruise terminal. The area is scenic, and you can see the village as you drive through it along with the waves of the ocean and the hilly forested terrain.

Arriving at Gumbalimba Park

Once you get off the bus you will be directly to lockers that rent for $5. You cannot bring backpacks and loose-fitting items since monkeys can get into your stuff.

A gift shop and food is available here. This is also your last chance for a restroom before you enter the reserve.

We took a moment to be a monkey at the park sign.

Start of the Tour

The tour begins in the botanical garden.

The tour guide first pointed out a large kapok tree with its huge trunk. The tree has been used for centuries for carvings and dugout canoes and soaps can be made from the oils in the seeds.

Next, we passed by some huge palm trees.

Then we walked by a small grove of bamboo trees.

He pointed out a tall tree. This is the park’s namesake, the gumbo-limbo tree.

It is also referred to as the “tourist tree” since the red peeling bark is like the skin of a sunburnt tourist.

I took a moment to take a picture of a red tropical flower with triangular green leaves growing over a wall.

Gumbalimba Insecturium

Then we came to the Gumbalimba Insectarium where you can gaze at almost 2,500 preserved insects from around the world in air-conditioned comfort.

Huge beetles with wings and pincers are in one display.

My son likes seeing the scorpions and tarantulas.

Butterflies are shown from all over including the vampire moth of Australia that feeds on blood.

A map shows where butterflies can be seen in North and South America.

After going outside of the insectarium we heard people overhead. The canopy zipline tour at the reserve goes above us at this location.

Coxen’s Cave

Next, we went to the nearby Coxen’s Cave, which is artificial and again air-conditioned.

You can see clay artifacts from the ancient Classic Period in Honduras.

In one room is a relief of the Roaton islands showing how the island has a high spine. When you drive along the road you can sometimes see both sides of it.

Iguana Nest

Next, we came to the Iguana Nest which includes a large concentration of native black iguanas that love lettuce.

Green iguanas can have an orange spine and can be huge.

The iguanas are free-roaming and are scampering everywhere.

Swinging Bridge

Going down a hill we came to the Swinging Bridge. It starts between trees and goes over a pond below.

Look for green turtles swimming about.

Macaw Area

After crossing the bridge you come down to where you can see rainbow-colored birds, the macaws.

You will come to a place where you can interact with them. You can take a picture with them all over you.

One macaw walked around the back of my head.

As we walked away my son saw ants marching in a line carrying green leaves. Fire ants are found on the island and can bite so be careful as you walk.

Monkey Town

The next stop was Monkey Town where you can interact with white-faced Capuchin Monkeys.

All the monkeys play, eat, sleep, roam, and interact freely in their neighborhood. These monkeys are used to people visiting them every day and providing snacks.

“If they don’t want to see people or get the snacks they are allowed to wander the reserve,” the guide said

He added, “Monkeys have a mind of their own so they might go from person to person or two might end up on you.”

All monkey interactions are supervised by a trainer.

The monkey hanging out my son's head. — *The monkey hanging out my son’s head.*

My son loved having the monkey sit on his head.

Two monkeys find their way to David's head. — *Two monkeys find their way to David’s head.*

My husband David ended up with two of them wandering around his head.

*Monkey family climbing up a nearby tree.*

Before heading on I took a moment to take a picture of a monkey family up in one of the trees.

From the monkeys, you had back a different path than the swinging bridge and you can have a moment to go into the shop for souvenirs or food.

Then we took a bus to Tabyana Beach Resort.

Tabyana Beach Resort

At the resort, you can use lockers. But they also have staff who will watch your items by your chairs.

There is also a gift shop and restrooms near the parking area.

The excursion included non-alcoholic drinks and food which we did first before a line formed.

*We found a cool private area in the trees.*

We chose beach chairs that were below some trees since it was hot out.

My son and I snorkeled, but we did not come across much sea life although the water was clear.

After swimming we took a shuttle back to the cruise ship. There is more than one shuttle here and they leave once each fills to capacity.

*Sun going down as we leave the island of Roatan.*

Final Thoughts

Interacting with the monkeys was the high point and the beach was a good place to relax after the walk.

We were one of the first groups there, so we almost had the place to ourselves. I did hear that later on the reserve staff got behind on interactions and there were waits so I would recommend doing an early one.

I would recommend doing this activity with the cruise line as opposed to doing it on your own based on the widening road through the hills and jungle and the traffic that can build up on a cruise day in the town.